Halladay says Jays not on holiday yet

Blue Jays never thought they were out of it, says ace

Here are some of the notable quotes from around Major League Baseball this week:

"It was never us that said we're getting ready for next year. It was everybody outside of here. I think everybody here felt like we were playing for something, and we'll continue to play that way. As a player, you have to do that. Whether you're mathematically in it or not, I don't think that matters."

"Who doesn't want to think about that? I think about that all the time. Even early in the season, I want to drive in 100. Even when I have one, I want to drive in 100. Everyone in the Majors, hitting, they want to get to 100 RBIs. Everybody. I have a chance to get to 100-something RBIs, and I want to go back there to try to do it."

Melvin Mora, who has 97 RBIs, on returning to the lineup following a bout of hamstring soreness.
(Baltimore Sun)

"Arias gave us a real solid start. He was very efficient early, used his breaking ball. I think he deserves an opportunity to run out there again."

--Houston manager Cecil Cooper on rookie Alberto Arias after the pitcher's first career start on Monday night. Arias pitched five shutout innings against the Pirates to earn his second career win and first with the Astros, who claimed him off waivers from Colorado earlier this season. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six.
(Houston Chronicle)

"Dusty called a great game. As far as calling a ballgame and setting up back there, he does a heck of a job. He's very intelligent. He looks like he's been here for a while, the way he's swinging the bat, and the way he's calling a ballgame, and his demeanor. He doesn't look like he gets too rattled too easily. He's got a quiet confidence about him."

"It's funny -- the things I was telling him early in the season are the same things he was telling me. He gave me the same advice back. When you are trying to do too much, you press. He helped me a lot in '05 [as teammates in Oakland]. He's always been there for me. I'm always there for him. When things are going good, we talk to each other the least."

"He was really looking forward to getting to 400 saves, and I thought he was one year away from that. I still think when guys have those numbers out there, you don't know. It's a lot of work. This kind of surgery is one you have to really work hard [to recover from]."

-- New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya commenting on closer Billy Wagner, who will miss the rest of the season and probably all of the 2009 season after having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow. Wagner is sixth all-time with 385 saves.
(New York Daily News)

"It takes a lot out of you. We got probably a total of seven, eight hours of sleep when we were up there. It was worth it, obviously. If it happens again, I'll be a little bit more prepared. Being the first one, you want to accommodate a lot of people, and you want to do a lot of things, but it was worth it."

-- Josh Hamilton discussing his performance in the Home Run Derby and a hectic All-Star Game schedule.
(Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

"They've told me just to enjoy the experience and work hard. As far as playing, I'm here and I'm going to be ready whenever they need me. Beyond that, whatever happens happens."

--Rookie catcher George Kottaras commenting on his role with the Red Sox upon being called up from the Minor Leagues.
(Boston Herald)

"Unless I blow it out tonight or in the next three weeks, I'm not going to have surgery after the season. That's how I feel."

-- Albert Pujols, dismissing the idea that he might have surgery on his right elbow after the season.
(St. Louis Post-Dispatch)

"It was definitely getting frustrating. Took a while, but it felt good. Hopefully, there will be a few more now."

-- Steve Pearce, Pirates outfielder, after hitting his first career home run on Tuesday night in the 139th at-bat of his young career.
(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

"This is a lot of hard work paying off. So I'm real excited, and I'm eager to go out there and have some fun."

-- Dontrelle Willis, after learning that he would be starting for the Tigers on Monday night in Texas.
(Detroit Free Press)

"It was scary. That's all I could think about when I was on the ground. Is that what it feels like when you blow your knee out?"

"I understand how it is right now. I haven't pitched a lot this year, so they can't really just throw me in the fire. As far as my stuff, health is my main goal. I realize I'm probably going to be a little rusty, no matter how much side work I do. The only way to get those skills sharp is to be out there."

-- Josh Kinney, who missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, on his desire to get into a game with the Cardinals this month.
(MLB.com)

"His fastball is so good. When he gets on a roll, he can make good hitters look bad."

--Arizona manager Bob Melvin discussing pitcher Max Scherzer, who had 11 strikeouts in five innings of work on Sunday against the Dodgers.
(East Valley Tribune)

"Yeah, I definitely enjoy it. It will be kind of like a day off. Instead of catching, I will be standing up and around first. I like something different. You have fun playing a new position. You get kind of excited."

-- Ramon Hernandez, Orioles catcher, on getting the chance to occasionally play first base.
(Baltimore Sun)

"When I started doing rehab last year [from shoulder surgery], I didn't think I would be able to come back because I couldn't move my arm. I've been working very hard to get back -- a lot of hard work."

-- Freddy Garcia, who will make his first-ever start for the Tigers next Wednesday night against the Rangers.
(Detroit Free Press)